"If you’ve recently received a rebate check from Canon, Costco or Home Depot, you might be for a shock.

Continental Promotion Group, a firm that processes rebates for those retailers and others, filed for bankruptcy protection last week. There is a danger that its rebate checks could bounce if you deposit them.

Some retailers have sent out warnings to customers, although not all have taken that step. Save yourself the hassle and the money by being proactive. See whether your retailer is a client of Continental Promotion Group or click here to look up the status of an outstanding rebate.